Of the names mentioned above, all have been granted the opportunity to seek employment elsewhere if they so choose, Dombrowski said.

"I would never stand in their way of getting another job somewhere else because I don't think that's fair and that's right," he said. "Then we'll just kind of go from there."

It's entirely possible that one of the coaches currently on Detroit's staff could be named Leyland's successor. McClendon, Brookens and Lamont are likely to be considered.

Whoever is hired to replace Leyland will be offered the opportunity to build his own staff, but Dombrowski emphasized that he will have the final word on potential hires.

"I always retain veto power in the sense that if there's somebody for some reason I don't think fits," he said. "I use the simple example if all of the sudden, you have four catching coaches and nobody that can teach infield or pitching, that would not be good.

"You're making sure you have the right type of blend of individuals on the team. Short of that, I try to let the manager make those decisions."

When Leyland was hired as Detroit's manager in late 2005, he was afforded the chance to build his own coaching staff. In turn, he brought former player McClendon on board as bullpen coach, Lamont as the third-base coach and Belliard was named infield coach.

Chuck Hernandez and Andy Van Slyke, both of whom are no longer with the organization, were hired as the pitching coach and first-base coach, respectively.

"With some people, I'd be very happy to have on our staff, for sure," Dombrowski said. "But you have to make sure that when you (hire a) manager that's mainly their consideration in that regard."

Toby Harrah, the team's assistant hitting coach, and bullpen catchers Jeff Kunkel and Scott Pickens are currently under contract through Oct. 31, too.